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Editors' Review

A popular and preeminent VoIP communication client, Skype has been steadily adding the features it had stripped out of a major 4.0 update--like call transferring, Skype Access for Wi-Fi hotspots, accessibility provisions, birthday alerts, and the ability to send a contact to other Skype users. Version 4.2 also claims back-end tweaks to ready the popular VoIP app for high-definition video calls, in conjunction with the user's HD Webcam.

Public chats are still absent in version 4.2; IM still isn't terribly interactive; and the Skypecast party line throwback has gotten the kibosh. Anyone who doesn't like the larger block of interface that consolidates the classic two-pane look into a single window can also split them in two.

In addition to placing audio and video calls to other Skype users, mobile phones, and landlines, Skype is also experimenting with screen sharing. Screen sharing initiates a video call, and uses that technology to broadcast a recording of your screen--either a portion or the full screen--to one other viewer. Screen sharing has some limitations: you can't simultaneously see a video of your buddy and their desktop, and since only one viewer at a time can peep your screen, you can't use it as a free replacement for collaborative Web conferencing. It doesn't help that the picture quality is still choppy and fuzzy, in both partial-screen and full-screen view modes. Make no mistake, though: it's a great feature that we're happy to see added, but we'll be even happier to watch it improve.

Skype's central theme remains cheap calling from the desktop. Anyone who's interested in talking for free from Skype-to-Skype, or cheaper by purchasing Skype credit to call landlines and mobile phones, should give Skype a try. For international callers, this program is a no-brainer solution for slashing long-distance bills.

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Publisher's Description

Skype is software that enables you to make free calls anywhere in the world. Skype uses P2P (peer-to-peer) technology to connect you with other users. It offers several features, including SkypeOut calling from Skype to regular and mobile phones worldwide, conference calling, and secure file transferring. You can also now share your screen with other users. Skype calls focus on video and audio quality, and secure the calls with end-to-end encryption.

What's new in this version:

This update release has fixed a crash issue on video calls for users with some specific web cameras.

i've said it many of time, their no one out their with a better then skype

Cons

i can't say anything bad about it.

Summary

i like the way you'll keep everything in order like date,person who calling,in going or out going.plus all your feature track. the only problem i had in the years with this product was just this . my voice on my end don't come in all the time.

Reliable, with occasional echo problems. Dropped calls seem to usually be on the other end and attributable to hardware or network problems.

Cons

User interface sometimes hard to figure out. I recently did a conference call with 4 other people and it was difficult to help people do things because it sounded like the GUIs were all different, but we were all using the same version.

Summary

We use it to talk to my in-laws overseas, with usually good quality. Have also used it for conference calls among friends.

Yahoo,signal it's beter than skype,why? I have to change to yahoo,because I have to many problems with your signal! I always loose your signal in the midle of my convertations with Mexico or the US. I'm in Poland

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